All healthcare professionals in the UK who come into close contact with the public are subject to statutory criminal record checks called DBS checks.

As a registered osteopath, you will need to take a stringent DBS check called an enhanced DBS check with barring to confirm your suitability to work in close contact with the public, particularly children and vulnerable adults.

All UK medical professionals are required to take the same degree of vetting. In fact, all those working in public-facing roles in the UK are subject to a DBS check under the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

What is an enhanced DBS check?

DBS checks are carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

There are four types of DBS check in operation across the UK, yours will be the strongest type of CRB check because your work involves close and unsupervised contact with the public, including children and vulnerable adults.

A DBS check for a registered osteopath will require a search for any unspent or spent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. The DBS will also check if there is any further non-conviction information in existence with relevant police forces or entries on the children’s and vulnerable adults barred lists.

Once complete, you will receive a DBS certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service listing the results of the search. Your DBS certificate will need to be shown to your employer and all healthcare professional bodies will require the same level of vetting.

For more information about a DBS check for an osteopath visit: unlock.org.uk